“Those responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable and the rights of victims' families to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition must be defended,” Türk said in a statement.
Mr. Türk's call comes as 18 people died while in ICE detention in the first five months of this year, an increase of eight people over the same period last year, according to ICE data. The US agency reported one additional death on June 4, bringing this year's current total to 19 deaths. In 2025, 33 people died in ICE custody, compared to 11 in 2024.
There have been “disturbing allegations about the use of force” in US immigration detention centers, and five of the officially reported deaths in 2026 were classified as suicides, Türk wrote.
Lack of transparency
ICE currently detains more than 60,000 people, and plans to increase detention capacity to 90,000 people by the end of the year, he said.
At the same time, Türk drew attention to the lack of transparency surrounding the circumstances of deaths in ICE detention and the whereabouts of detainees during transfers.
He also noted that prolonged uncertainty around legal status contributes to psychological distress.
'Inhumane conditions' in ICE detention
It is frequently reported that detainees face “inhumane conditions” in the ICE detention center, including inadequate medical care and food and exposure to disease.
Mr. Türk expressed alarm at the alleged use of solitary confinement. It said prolonged or indefinite use of solitary confinement could amount to “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” violating international human rights standards.
“All of these factors exacerbate vulnerability and raise serious concerns about whether some of these deaths in ICE custody could have been prevented,” the U.N. human rights chief said.
Children should never be in immigration detention centers
Türk urged the US government to prioritize alternatives to immigration detention, especially for pregnant women and those with significant medical or mental health issues. He argued that children should never be subject to immigration detention, regardless of the immigration status of the child or their parents.
“U.S. immigration authorities must ensure that their detention facilities comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he said, including protecting the human rights of detainees by ensuring humane conditions, timely medical care, notification of family members, an end to overcrowding, and access to legal representation, consular assistance, and interpretation services.
Mr. Türk highlighted the important role of the United States Congress in overseeing detention conditions and associated public funding to ensure compliance with international human rights law.
They denounce dehumanization of immigrants
The UN human rights chief denounced the continued dehumanization and criminalization of migrants and refugees.
He also expressed support for those who defend their human rights, including lawyers, journalists, religious organizations and civil society groups.
“No one should be sent back to a place where they could suffer serious human rights violations or other irreversible harm,” Türk said.
